Meetings

Business Committee agreed to schedule the following motion for debate on 10 March:

NNDM7552 Jenny Rathbone

Dai Lloyd

Jack Sargeant

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Notes:

a) that Wales has the highest rates of type 2 diabetes anywhere in western Europe, with over 200,000 diagnosed, an estimated 65,000 with undiagnosed type 2, and a further 500,000 at risk of contracting diabetes;

b) that caring for people with diabetes already consumes 10 per cent of the NHS budget;

c) the heightened risks of catching COVID-19 for citizens who have diabetes as a pre-existing condition; and

d) the success and cost effectiveness of the award-winning Nutrition Skills for Life programme piloted in the Afan Valley.

2. Urges the Welsh Government to mainstream the Nutrition Skills for Life programme throughout Wales as a central element of a Welsh diabetes prevention plan.

Supporters:

Helen Mary Jones

Darren Millar

Andrew RT Davies

Jayne Bryant

Business Committee decided not to schedule the motion for debate.

This Week’s Business

Tuesday

The First Minister would be making a statement on the priorities for Government.

The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children would be making a statement on the Child Practice Review into the Death of Dylan Seabridge.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Well-being and Sport would be making a statement on the new Treatment Fund.

The Statement by the Minister for Skills and Science on Wales’ Compound Semiconductor Cluster was withdrawn and would be issued as a written statement.

Wednesday

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure would be making a statement on the Circuit of Wales.

Motions would be taken to change UKIP membership on committees.

Bethan Jenkins’ Short Debate, which was postponed from the previous week, would take place after the Short Debate by Mike Hedges.

Voting

On Tuesday, Voting Time would be after the final item of business. On Wednesday Voting Time would take place before the Short Debates.

Three Week Timetable of Government Business

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

The Presiding Officer enquired as to when the Government intended to bring forward a debate on its priorities and legislative programme, required under Standing Order 11.21(ii). The Leader of the House confirmed that the debate would take place in the near future.

Three Week Timetable of Assembly Business

Business Managers noted that Assembly Business would continue to be scheduled according to the current arrangements for Individual Member Debates and opposition debates,  until any decision is made on reforming the use of Assembly time.

Business Committee determined the organisation of Assembly business and agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 14 September 2016 –

• Motion to change the remit of the External Affairs and Additional Legislation Committee

Wednesday 28 September 2016 –

• Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Short Debate - Eluned Morgan (Mid and West Wales) (30 mins)

This Week’s Business

Tuesday

The statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children on Homelessness and Housing Solutions was withdrawn.

The motions to elect Members to committees would all be debated together but voted on in two blocks – the 7 policy and legislation committees first, and then the other committees. 

The Presiding Officer informed Business Managers that she intended to make a short statement before the debate on re-naming the National Assembly for Wales.

Wednesday

Plenary would begin at 1pm.

The Presiding Officer informed Business Managers that she intended to allow Party Leaders 10 minutes to speak during the debate on the Queen’s Speech.

Bethan Jenkins’ Short Debate was postponed to 13 July.

Voting

On Tuesday, Voting Time would be after the final item of business. On Wednesday, Business Committee agreed that Voting on the Queen’s Speech debate would be taken at the end of that item and voting on the UKIP Debate would be taken at the end of that debate.

Debate on the UK Government’s Legislative Programme

Business Managers noted a paper on the arrangements for the Secretary of State’s attendance at Plenary on Wednesday, as part of the debate on the UK Government’s legislative programme (Queen’s Speech).

Three Week Timetable of Government Business

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Three Week Timetable of Assembly Business

Business Committee determined the organisation of Assembly business and agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 21 September 2016 –

• Questions to the Assembly Commission (30 mins)
• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Time allocated to the United Kingdom Independence Party (60 mins)
• Short Debate (30 mins)

This Week’s Business

The time allocated to the debate on the outcome of the EU Referendum was increased from 60 to 90 minutes and brought forward to immediately after FMQs.

Should the Assembly agree changes to Standing Orders under item 6, a motion to allocate committee chairs to political groups would be tabled and added to the agenda during the meeting.

The time allocated to the statement on the legislative programme would be increased from 30 minutes to 45 minutes.

The following items were withdrawn:

-     Statement by the Minister for Social Services and Public Health: Launch of the Consultation on Phase 1 Implementation of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act (30 mins)

-     Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Education: School Governing Bodies (30 mins)

-     Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs: Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management (30 mins)

-     Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure: Road and Street Works Strategy (30 mins)

-     Debate: Re-naming the National Assembly a “Parliament” (60 mins) – postponed until 5 July

The election of committee chairs would take place as the last item of business. The Presiding Officer explained how the nomination process would be conducted in Plenary. Should there be more than one nomination for any committee, a secret ballot would take place on Wednesday 29 June between 12-3pm in briefing room 13. An email would be sent to Members to notify them that the secret ballot had opened. Subject to a secret ballot being held on Wednesday, the successful candidates would be announced before the Short Debate.

On Tuesday, Voting Time would take place before the election of committee chairs. On Wednesday Voting Time would take place before the Short Debate.

Business Managers discussed whether or not the Presiding Officer and Deputy Presiding Officers should be able to vote in a secret ballot to elect committee chairs and decided that as Standing Orders are silent on this issue, there would be no reason for them not to do so.

Three week timetable of Government Business

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Three week timetable of Assembly Business

A motion to agree the membership of committees was added to the Three week timetable of Assembly Business. The Presiding Officer informed Business Managers that they would need to notify the Secretariat of all nominations by midday on Monday 4 July, as well as nominations for alternate members of the Standards of Conduct Committee.

Business Committee determined the organisation of Assembly business and agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Tuesday 5 July 2016 -

·         Motions to agree membership of committees

·         Motion in accordance with Standing Order 17.2T in respect of Committee for the Scrutiny of the First Minister

Wednesday 14 September 2016 –

• Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)
• Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)
• Time allocated to the United Kingdom Independence Party (60 mins)
• Short Debate -  (30 mins)

This Week’s Business

Tributes would be paid and a minute’s silence would be held in memory of Jo Cox.

The Cabinet Secretary on Economy and Infrastructure would be making a statement on the Public Local Inquiry on the M4 at Newport (45 mins)

The Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language would be making a statement on Broadcasting in Wales (30 mins)

On Tuesday, Voting Time would be after the final item of business. On Wednesday, Business Committee agreed that Voting Time would take place before the Short Debate.

Three Week Timetable of Government Business

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Three Week Timetable of Assembly Business

Business Managers agreed to schedule the debate on the Queen’s Speech on 6 July and for the debate to take place as the first item of business. Plenary will begin at 1pm.

Business Committee determined the organisation of Assembly business and agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Tuesday 28 June 2016 –

·         Motions to establish Committees (5 mins)

·         Motion to Change the name of the Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee (5 mins)

·         Motion to amend Standing Order 17 in relation to Operation of Committees (5 mins)

Wednesday 6 July 2016 –

·         Debate on the Queen’s Speech (120 mins)

·         Time allocated to the United Kingdom Independence Party (60 mins)

Wednesday 13 July 2016 –

·         Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv)

Business Committee selected 2 motions for debate.

Wednesday 29 June 2016

·         NNDM6026

David Melding (South Wales Central)
Julie Morgan (Cardiff North)
Lee Waters (Llanelli)
Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales)
Neil Hamilton (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

Believes that the Welsh Government should examine ways to strengthen inter-departmental working to improve outcomes for looked after children.

Wednesday 13 July 2016

·         NNDM6027

Bethan Jenkins (South Wales West)
Lee Waters (Llanelli)
Russell George (Montgomeryshire)
Jeremy Miles (Neath)
Jenny Rathbone (Cardiff Central)
Simon Thomas (Mid and West Wales)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Regrets that the amount of money spent by the BBC on programmes for Wales in English has fallen by 25 per cent in the last decade.

2. Believes BBC Wales has a vital role to play in reflecting the lives, aspirations and challenges of the people of Wales.

3. Notes Lord Hall's admission that the funding for English language content made in Wales for a Welsh audience has dropped to unsustainable levels, and therefore calls upon the BBC to outline in detail its spending commitments to Wales in the near and further future.

This Week’s Business

Tuesday

• The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Rural Affairs will be making a statement on Building on our Recycling Success for a Circular Economy (30 mins)

• The Minister for Skills and Science will be making a statement on Apprenticeships in Wales (30 mins)

• The Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Children will be making a statement on Volunteering Week (30 mins)

• The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government will be making a statement on the report of the Working Group on the Welsh Language and Local Government (30 mins)

• Voting Time will take place after the last item of business.

• Plenary is unlikely to run past 5.45pm.

Wednesday

• Motion to Elect Members to a Committee (5 mins)
  
  
• The Presiding Officer informed Business Managers that she intends to allocate 3 minutes as opposed to the usual 5 minutes to Members wishing to speak on the Individual Member Debate and requested an early indication from groups of who would like to speak.

• The Welsh Conservative Debate will be moved to before the Plaid Cymru Debate.

• Voting Time will take place before the Short Debate.
  
  
• Plenary is unlikely to run past 6.40pm.

Organisation of Business

• Business Managers agreed to defer the scheduling of Assembly Business for Wednesday 6 July until next week’s meeting.

• Business Committee determined the organisation of Assembly business and agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Wednesday 22 June 2016 –

Motion proposing the titles and remits of committees (5 mins)

This Week’s Business

The First Minister would be making statements on the Wales Bill and Tata Steel.

The Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure would be making a statement on European Football Championships.

Any voting would take place immediately after each motion on the agenda.

Three week timetable of Government Business

Business Committee noted the 3 Week Timetable of Government Business.

Three week timetable of Assembly Business

Before determining the three-week timetable of Assembly Business, Business Managers considered a legal briefing on the effect the timetabling of business may have on Members’ contributions during the run-up to the EU referendum. Members had considered the legal briefing in advance and there was a thorough discussion of the issues raised in it and the possible options, with all members of the Committee contributing. Having considered the advice, including in particular the varying legal duties placed on the Assembly Commission, and the central role of the Assembly in Welsh public life, they agreed that the Assembly’s ability to discuss European matters during the referendum period should not be restricted.

Business Committee determined the organisation of Assembly business and agreed to schedule the following items of business:

Tuesday 14 June 2016 –

·         Motion to annul the Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (30 mins)

Wednesday 15 June 2016 –

·         Motion under Standing Order 16.1 to establish an interim Committee on Constitutional and Legislative Affairs (5 mins)

·         Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Short Debate - Llyr Gruffydd (North Wales) (30 mins)

Wednesday 22 June 2016 –

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the United Kingdom Independence Party (60 mins)

·         Short Debate - Julie Morgan (Cardiff North) (30 mins)

Wednesday 29 June 2016 –

·         Questions to the Assembly Commission (30 mins)

·         Debate by Individual Members under Standing Order 11.21(iv) (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to Plaid Cymru (60 mins)

·         Time allocated to the Welsh Conservatives (60 mins)

·         Short Debate - Rhianon Passmore (Islwyn) (30 mins)

Review of the Assembly Timetable

Business Managers agreed to conduct a review of the Assembly timetable, including the scheduling of Plenary meetings, with a view to increasing the overall capacity for formal Assembly business. The Committee requested that the Secretariat bring forward a paper with various options for Business Managers to consider at a future meeting.

Plenary

The Committee agreed to publish a provisional timetable for the remainder of this term, with Plenary meetings at 13.30 on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, in line with Standing Orders:

• Using Tuesday afternoons for Government Business; and
• Using Wednesday afternoons for Government and Assembly Business.
  
  

Committees

All Members were in favour in principle of using Monday afternoons as a formal slot of the Assembly Timetable, as recommended by the predecessor committee, but that any decision would need to be informed by the wider review of committee structures.

Business Managers agreed to discuss the matter with their groups and return to the issue at a future meeting.

Other Times

Business Managers agreed to continue with the previous arrangement of party groups meeting at 11am on Tuesdays.

Business Managers also agreed recess dates up until Autumn half term and agreed to return to the matter at a future meeting to decide on provisional recess dates for Christmas 2016 and Spring 2017, following discussions with Party Groups.

EU Referendum

Simon Thomas raised the issue of timetabling business in the run up to the EU referendum and the effect this may have on Members’ contributions during this period.

The Director of Assembly Business advised that the Political Parties Election and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA) places restrictions on the Assembly Commission in relation to publishing material related to the referendum in the 28 days leading up to 23 June.

Publication of the record of the formal business of the Assembly would be captured by these restrictions. Breach of the Act would not be a criminal offence, so the risk would be a reputational one. However, the Assembly Commission is required by law to publish records of our proceedings.

Business Managers agreed in principle to schedule business as usual during the referendum period. However, Mark Reckless asked for further legal advice on the matter, and asked officials to look into the possibility of the Assembly asking for a pre-emptive court declaration to enable Members to debate issues relating to the EU referendum. The Committee agreed for the Secretariat to provide a note to the next meeting to clarify the Commission’s legal and statutory obligations before making a decision.

Use of Assembly Time

Business Managers agreed to look at ways of introducing more variety to the use of Assembly time in Plenary, and asked the Secretariat to bring a paper to a future meeting.

Business Managers agreed to continue with the practice adopted in the Fourth Assembly for scheduling Individual Member Debates on a regular basis and agreed to schedule one every other week until the summer recess. The Committee also decided to lower the threshold for support of a motion from three Members from three different political groups to three Members from two groups.

The Committee also agreed to schedule up to three hours of opposition debates a week, depending on other demands on Assembly time. Business Managers considered the most appropriate division of Assembly time amongst opposition parties and agreed to return to the issue at the meeting on 8 June.

The Committee agreed to hold a Short Debate on a Wednesday each week and for it to be allocated 30 minutes, however Simon Thomas expressed the view that Short Debates should be reviewed as part of the review of Assembly time.